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Foot-and-mouth disease cases rise in Cyprus as farmers protest

On May 8, 2026, the Cyprus Veterinary Services confirmed two new outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in Western Nicosia, specifically affecting a sheep farm with 35 animals in Kokkinotrimithia and a cattle farm with 160 animals in Paliometocho. These latest cases bring the total number of infected units in the region to 112. In response to the crisis, the government has accelerated financial compensation processes for affected farmers. President Nikos Christodoulides intervened to prevent a planned protest at the Rizoelia roundabout, successfully requesting a five-day grace period for further negotiations. The farmers' association 'Voice of Livestock Breeders' agreed to suspend their mobilization efforts pending these discussions. A meeting between Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou, agricultural organizations, and the farmers' association is scheduled for Tuesday. President Christodoulides emphasized that the government is committed to providing immediate compensation and maintains continuous communication with stakeholders to manage the outbreak.

Original Sources

Farmers threaten action over animal culling suspension
Sigmalive English · 5 May 2026, 09:22
Foot-and-mouth disease cases rise to 108 units
Sigmalive English · 30 April 2026, 09:47
Eradication of FMD in Cyprus still years away, farmers warn
Sigmalive English · 29 April 2026, 15:38
It may take four to five years to get rid of FMD
Cyprus Mail · 29 April 2026, 14:16
Rare Cypriot sheep breed at risk from foot-and-mouth disease
Sigmalive English · 28 April 2026, 14:19